Rationalization of Water Use and Minimization of Wastewater Production in Industry Through PINCH Analysis

Abstract

Water scarcity is expected to grow in the future; consequently, competition among the three main water-consuming groups—agriculture, the industrial sector, and the population—will increase day by day. In this situation, the industrial sector represents the weak point in the aforementioned contest, as it will have to face a new challenge and must make the greatest possible effort to reduce water consumption. Many companies, based on an empirical approach, have adopted policies to reduce water consumption and, consequently, wastewater production. However, a mathematical tool called Pinch Analysis has been developed, which, when used together with mathematical minimization methods, allows determining the minimum water consumption required for any production process. In addition, Pinch Analysis facilitates the design of distributed wastewater treatment systems in contrast to the centralized systems generally adopted. Thus, the fundamental objective of this document is to disseminate the possibility of using Pinch Analysis for rationalization.